Boasting rich cultural meaning and a long history, colourful festivals known as an important and brilliant part of Vietnam culture. Vietnam has many ethnic groups; different ethnic groups have different festivals in different places. January and February are the most interesting festival months in the year in Vietnam with traditional festivals such as Tet Holiday (Luna New Year), Lim Festival, Huong Pagoda Festival…..
Especially in 2011, Phu Yen Province has chosen the host city for National Tourism Year 2011. The festival will officially be opened on April at Phu Yen where is getting ready for activities of the 400th founding anniversary of the province (1611 – 2011) with thousands expected to attend the beginning of the week-long event. The festival 2011 promises to be one of the liveliest there has been, with performance artists coming together to entertain the masses.
Together with colourful festivals, food is also something representing the way of life that reflects Vietnam characteristic of. It's hard to explain the great diversity of the Vietnamese foods from the three different regions: the North, the Central and the South. The “Vietnam gastronomy discovery” tour will amaze you.
THE 1000TH ANNIVERSARY OF THANG LONG - HANOI
In 1010, Ly Thai To, the first ruler of the Ly Dynasty, moved the capital of Dai Viet (the Great Viet, then the name of Viet Nam) to the site of the Dai La Citadel. Claiming to have seen a dragon ascending the Red River, he renamed it Thang Long (Ascending dragon) - a name still used poetically to this day. In 1831 the Nguyen Dynasty renamed it Hanoi (a city between rivers).
The millennium will be solemnly opened in the morning of October 1, 2010 at the Ly Thai To Emperor Monument. On the same day, Hanoi will host various celebratory activities, such as an exhibition of socio-economic achievements of Vietnam and Thang Long - Ha Noi; an exhibition of literary and artistic works; the live show "The country and Ha Noi"; and a special variety show directed by international experts. From October 2 to 9, 2010, there will be many cultural and artistic activities, sports, tourist festivals, craft village festivals, inaugurations, exhibitions, and award conferring ceremonies. On October 10, 2010 a State-level grand celebration will be held at Ba Dinh Square.
As the biggest tour operator in Vietnam, Saigontourist is privileged to organize tours to Hanoi during the time of the festival with premium discounts on airfare, bed & board and admission to the performances.
HUE FESTIVAL 2010: A RENDEZ-VOUS FOR CULTURAL HERITAGES
Building on a suite of successful, biennial events that started in 2000 and attracted hundreds of thousands international and local visitors in 2008, the Hue Festival is actively preparing for its grandest spectacles from June 5th to 13th, 2010, a 9-day indulgence of Vietnamese arts and rites, complemented by exhibitions from art troupes coming in from countries of all five continents.
During the Hue Festival 2010, many cultural and tourist activities will take place, extending from the mysterious ancient capital of Hue to the out lying areas, from the royal palaces and tombs in the ancient quarter of the city to the villages where traditional handicrafts are made. Tourists will have the opportunity to experience the exotic lifestyle of Hue; participate in Eco-tourist adventures; enjoy relaxing rides in the waterways and lagoons; discover Hue’s famous pagodas; take part in traditional festivities and events; explore the mysterious royal tombs and numerous romantic and spectacular hideaways; and sample Hue’s traditional cuisine while enjoying music aboard dragon boats drifting along the alluring Perfume River
As the biggest tour operator in Vietnam, Saigontourist is privileged to organize tours to Hue during the time of the festival with premium discounts on airfare, bed & board and admission to the performances.
Gastronomy Tours
Vietnam’s cuisine diversity has been created by diversified cultures and modified overtime by social changes to be more suitable with different tastes yet still maintaining Vietnamese typical flavors. Although bearing many similarities to Chinese cuisine, Vietnamese dishes have been considered to have more decent tastes, less oily, more vegetable in ingredients and harmonious combination of spices. Spring rolls, “pho” (beef noodle soup)… have gained international fame especially favored by Western tourists.
Saigontourist’s gastronomy tours are designed to be fun-filled and interesting ways of learning how to prepare and enjoy specialties in different regions of Vietnam. Northern delicacies, sophisticated royal recipes of the Central, or the fabulous balance between yin and yang featured in the mildly seasoned blend of green vegetables and fresh meat in the South, will bring you surprises. Beside leisure sight-seeing trips, interactive cooking classes on board of a cruising barge under guidance of a famous chef, or at local’s homes on a Lunar New Year day with instructions from the locals will award you authentic and unique experiences.
